The Detroit Lions may have avoided the worst with Terrion Arnold, as the second-year cornerback is expected to return sometime this season.
Their need for more secondary depth, though, is obvious. Some fans were hoping for the Lions to be active on the trade market right away, with cornerbacks like Greg Newsome II of the Cleveland Browns emerging as potential options. It turns out that the Lions missed out on Newsome after he was traded to the Jaguars on Wednesday night.
Now, the Lions have to pivot to free agency and consider a name like Stephon Gilmore.
Lions Can't Wait Any Longer Before Signing Stephon Gilmore
If GM Brad Holmes turned to the free agent market, there are solid options like Kendall Fuller, Asante Samuel Jr, and James Bradberry. Bringing back a familiar face like Emmanuel Moseley as a depth option remains a possibility, as well. The best FA signing of them all, however, would be Stephon Gilmore, who remains a free agent after finishing last season with the Minnesota Vikings.
What makes Gilmore the perfect fit is the fact that, despite being 35 years old, he is as reliable and durable as they come. He played 87% of his team's defensive snaps last year and started 15 games. He may not be the game wrecker he once was earlier in his career, but that didn't prevent him from finishing last season with a 63.9 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, a higher mark than where Amik Robertson and Terrion Arnold are at this season.
The Lions could depend heavily on Gilmore until Reed and Arnold return, and could then reduce his defensive snaps to keep him fresh for the postseason. Gilmore's ability to play a significant number of snaps when needed without any drop-off, while presumably accepting a smaller role at times due to his age, makes him an especially intriguing fit in Detroit.
It is not easy to find a true difference-maker in a mid-season transaction. You have to present a strong trade offer for a starter. Otherwise, you have to make do with what is available in free agency. At this point in the season, it's hard to imagine the Lions finding a more impactful and reliable player at a position of desperate need than Gilmore. He has extensive experience and a desire to win his second Lombardi Trophy, creating an ideal win-win situation for both sides.